Chilmark: Happy birthday, Bobbie

Honey and Keith Heller, Chilmark and New York City residents, on Park Avenue South. Photo by Valerie Sonnenthal

Spring is here, right? Even though we may wake up to a morning frost or cold rain, daffodils and tulips are brightening up the green. I’m so glad Bobbie (Barbara) Norfleet enjoyed a wonderful 90th birthday celebration with friends in Cambridge, including Suzanne Greenberg, another seasonal summer resident, and former graduate student and co-worker of Bobbie’s when she served as a curator of the photo collection at Harvard’s Carpenter Center. And for those of you who do not know, Bobbie broke the gender barrier as the first woman professor to demand she be allowed to be a member at the Harvard Faculty Club back in 1968. Bobbie’s photographs can be seen at the Gay Head Gallery when they reopen for the season. Best wishes Bobbie for a healthy, creative, and inspiring year. Last weekend on the corner of Park Avenue South and 22nd Street while walking to a three-day class in NYC I spotted a blue Larsen’s Fish Market sweatshirt and asked its owner if they happened to spend time on Martha’s Vineyard. So it was I met Keith and Honey Heller, longtime summer Chilmark residents whose son Gregory Heller was married last September to his fish-market sweetheart Molly Grand-Jean at the Allen Farm. The Hellers are looking forward to a six-day visit in April.

Nabs Corner, home sweet home! So happy to see Jesse Keller and Denny Jason flanked by Alby standing on the front stoop of their new home. Congratulations to the Morais family, the Cook-Martin family and local window-maker Jerry Caton on being able to move into their homes this spring! Wishing you all well.

Don’t forget to drop off any spare, gently used and like-new clothing and shoes for children for Solon Oliver’s Cradles to Crayons project in the clearly marked collection bins in the front lobby of the West Tisbury school from March 28 to April 4. Clothing sizes should range from infant to adult medium (styles appropriate for middle schoolers) and shoes (sizes infant to adult size 10).

Pizza nights are on at the Chilmark Community Church on Tuesdays, from 6 to 7 pm, all are welcome.

The Yard moves closer to home bringing their Adult Community Dance classes to the West Tisbury Library on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7 pm, beginning March 31 and through May 5. Join in the fun, just come — free.

The Chilmark Free Public Library is developing a new five-year plan of service. Please help by taking their short survey online at surveymonkey.com/r/chilmark, pick one up at the library or call 508-645-3360 and they will mail it to you. Don’t forget Tuesdays and Saturdays Songs & Stories at 10:30 am with Kristin, and Wednesday after-school crafts at 3:30 with Irene. Also the French Conversation Group continues on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard is holding a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 6, in the Chilmark Library at 7 pm. Come and meet your town’s candidates for election and ask them questions of interest to you. The FinCom and Selectmen have also been invited to speak about Warrant articles and ballot issues that are important.

On Saturday, April 2, there is a rabies clinic at the West Tisbury Fire Station from 10 am–2 pm, $20 per animal. The monthly spay wagon is an affordable alternative for anyone who has dogs or cats. If you are a Chilmark resident who needs assistance to pay for this service or you want to be put on the appointment list for the next spay wagon visit please contact Chilmark Animal Warden Chris Murphy at 508-693-6610.

Pathways is hosting their Wearable Art Ball and Black Light Paint Costume Party on Saturday, April 2. Wear white and join artist/filmmaker Danielle Mulcahy to make your light-inspired costume, paint masks (provided), bring your own accessories, hats, clothing and glow toys to paint with their blacklight paints and luminescent body paint from 5 to 7 pm. Then dance the night away to DJ IslandBoy58 in black light with projections from 7 to 9 pm. On Sunday, April 3, David Stanwood and Atzik Marquez will offer a Healing Music Session as they play grand piano and violin. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat, a beach chair, a cot, or something comfortable on which to recline. Doors open at 3:30 pm and music runs from 4 to 5 pm, free.